Knowledge • News • Insights

In Partnership With

Michigan Business Network: MBN_950 x90_web_PM OCT

Traverse Connect | Mid-October 2025

Michigan Business Network: Traverse Connect
 

Third Quarter Business Sentiment

Traverse Connect conducted its third-quarter Business Growth Barometer Survey of investor and member businesses, aimed at providing a snapshot of our regional business sentiment, outlook, and current challenges. Quarterly surveys inform the organization’s strategic priorities and help it respond to the needs of the business community.  

Ninety-six percent of respondents agree that the Grand Traverse region is a good place to grow their business, with 93% in agreement that the region is improving as a place to grow their business. Respondents’ sentiment about an improving business environment has improved by six points over the second quarter of 2025.

As the summer tourism season draws to a close, 40% of respondents cited finding and hiring talent as their primary barrier to growth, similar to the second quarter. However, there was a decrease in the number of respondents citing employees’ skill gaps as a barrier. Read the full report for Traverse Connect’s accomplishments and scheduled events for the next quarter.

READ MORE

News Roundup

News from Traverse Connect that you might have missed.

→ Traverse Connect published responses to its Traverse City Mayoral and City Commission candidates’ questionnaire on its 2025 City Election page.

→ Join us for the 2025 Annual Economic Summit on November 3 to discuss issues affecting the economy and garner wisdom from economic experts to look ahead.

→ Come out and celebrate the achievements of Traverse Connect’s member businesses with ribbon cuttings this week: Wolverine Cabinet Company.

→ Drawn by local talent, cheap labor and state cash incentives, start-ups building the weapons of the future are revitalizing manufacturing in once-vibrant industrial towns.

→ China did not back down in a back-and-forth with the U.S. over trade, calling for U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw his latest threat of a 100% tariff and other export control measures.

What We're Reading

→ NSF, a global public health and safety organization, announced its successful acquisition of Cambium Analytica, a Traverse City-based analytical testing and development company.

→ The Northern Michigan Attainment Collaborative offered a Training Fair Open House to educate potential students and local employers about training opportunities in the region. 

→ A $12.5 million expansion is proposed for the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA West campus aimed to increase overall capacity and better meet the needs of the community.

→ “Legislative action” to make a hotel tax amendment has garnered support from four of the seven candidates seeking seats on the Traverse City commission. 

→ Downtown businesses expressed their support for a new substation for downtown’s community police officer on State Street.

→ Several key projects are poised to move ahead in East Bay Township, including a major Safe Routes to School/trail expansion, improvements to Holiday Woodlands, and a Corridor Improvement Authority.

Meet the 13 Northern Explorers who will be attending the Annual Economic Summit as our VIP guests to explore the opportunity to move their career “up north” and to meet with potential employers like you!

Northern Explorers 2025

EVENTS

What's Hot

Get the latest news from MBN right in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a beat.